Technology has given us radical levels of instant, exciting connection. However, with so much going on in the world, reading / listening to / watching / skimming through the news every day can feel a little overwhelming.
So, to help you start your week in a positive mood, here are five good things currently happening in the Seattle area.
1. A Kirkland startup aims to reduce food waste.
According to the USDA, Americans throw away 32 billion pounds of produce every year. Stixfresh, however, has designed a sticker to place on fruit that keeps it fresh longer. This tiny sticker contains wax and naturally-sourced ingredients that “create a protective layer around your fruit.”
Studies have also shown that these stickers also increase the fruit’s sweetness and help it retain moisture and firmness. Buy these magical stickers through their crowdsourcing campaign.
2. A Seattle nonprofit is cleaning up homeless camps.
The city of Seattle has been working for years to help its residents who experience homelessness. In general, Washington, Oregon, and California experience higher rates of homelessness than in other areas of the country.
Facing Homelessness, based out of Seattle, began as a Facebook page that published individuals’ stories in order to personalize and humanize those who face homelessness. This page then evolved into The Block Project, which works with local homeowners to build tiny homes in their backyards for homeless folks. These tiny homes are 125 feet and “is beautifully designed to be off-grid, self-sufficient, and amenity-rich (featuring a kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area, solar-panels, greywater system, composting toilet, etc.).”
Facing Homelessness’ latest project involves cleaning up camps that are at risk of removal by the city’s Navigation Team. The city of Seattleonly picks up garbage from a few homeless camps at a time, and, often outsiders illegally dump their trash around the camps as well. Facing Homelessness volunteers pick up and remove trash from the camps with the hope that this will improve the quality of life for camp residents.
3. A Seattle camp fosters community for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim kids.
Middle East Peace Camp serves Jewish and Muslim kids, and “their friends,” ages 5-12, as well as teens and adults. The camp tries to avoid heavy-handed politics and instead simply focuses on educating children about cultural awareness education and building peaceful relationships.
4. Redmond summer camp introduces girls to video game development.
Girls Make Games aims to improve the gender gap in the gaming and tech industry through its camps and workshops. The camp is based out of Nintendo’s Redmond headquarters and allows girls aged 8 to 17 to design their own games.
5. A Ballard remodel transforms a garage into a sparkling studio.
Okay, so this isn’t exactly news, but it’s still pretty to look at, and isn’t a bit of beauty sometimes all one needs to feel good? This 360-square-foot detached garage features a reading nook, a built-in daybed, and a foldable wall that opens to a patio.
For more good things, check out Pickett Street’s latest community highlight, why you should hire a real estate agent, and the podcast Finely Clicked for moving conversation with Ada Alvarado.
To get in touch with the Pickett Street team, reach out to them via email at info@pickettstreet.com or via a phone call at (425) 502-5397.